DAVID HAYE'S hopes for a mega money clash with Anthony Joshua in 2016 have been dashed.
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| David Haye has lost just two of his professional fights in his career |
The British heavyweight returned to the ring after three-and-a-half years out by flattening awful Aussie Mark de Mori in just 131 seconds at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
Former two-weight world champion Haye, 35, is eyeing up a summer showdown with Joshua.
But the Olympic gold medallist's promoter Eddie Hearn has poured cold water on the chances of it happening this year - unless Haye can win a world title.
Hearn said: "We are targeting a world title in 2016 and David doesn't really help with that cause. It's a big fight and a big pay day, but those are being delivered for Anthony naturally anyway.
"I'm sure if they keep winning, the fight has every chance of happening, but right now the focus is on that world title."
Haye could win a world title this year but the earliest he could get a shot at a belt would be in the summer and that would leave it too late for a clash with rising star Joshua as both sides would want that fight to be in a stadium outdoors.
That means it is unlikely we will see Haye against Joshua until the summer of 2017 unless Hearn makes a U-turn on his plans for his golden boy.
Haye barely had time to shake off any ring rust after his lengthy absence as he sparked De Mori in the first round.
The former world heavyweight and cruiserweight champion did get to show his right shoulder, which needed reconstructive surgery three years ago, is as strong as ever.
Haye lashed in his big 'Hayemaker' shot to rock De Mori in front of 16,000 fans and then finished the job with a flurry of shots before medics rushed in to tend to the stricken Australian.
Londoner Haye said: "I don't think there are too many heavyweights on the planet who could take those kind of shots. I felt relaxed and sharp.
"If there are any heavyweights out there who think I'm not the force I once was, I'm actually a more-dangerous force now. I truly believe that. Whatever success I had in the past, times that by two."
Haye is likely to fight again in April but will be expected to step up in class following this.
In New York, Tyson Fury sparked chaos when he jumped into the ring to confront WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The British heavyweight burst into the ring just after American Wilder knocked out Poland's Artur Szpilka to defend his WBC crown.
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| Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn |
The WBO and WBA heavyweight champion got into Wilder's face as it looked like they would come to blows.
Fury said: "There's only one Tyson Fury. What have you got to say about that Deontay?"
Wilder kept his cool but replied by telling the Manchester-born traveller to fight him this year.
The American, who moved to 36 wins and 35 knockouts against Szpilka, said: "When you do step in this ring with me - if you do because this should've been done a long time ago - you can run around like you're a preacher all that you want but when you step into that ring I promise you I will baptise you."
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